Favorite holiday music

[midwestyankee]

This year I am happier to welcome the arrival of the holiday season than usual and I've been celebrating by playing many of my favorite holiday CDs since Thanksgiving. Usually I like to buy one or two new holiday albums each year but haven't shopped for one yet this year. This morning I got the idea that it would be fun to share our favorites and give each other some ideas for expanding our collections.

I'll start by listing a few of mine, in order of preference:

The Messiah (mine features Joan Sutherland)
A Charlie Brown Christmas, Vince Guaraldi
Mannheim Steamroller (almost all of their holiday albums)
A Christmas Album, Amy Grant

So....what are your favorite holiday albums?

 

[sassy_girl1963]

One of my all time favorites is of Vince Gill's "Let There be Peace on Earth"

Also love Kenny G's Miracle's CD.

And I too love the Messiah, but am not too sure who mine features....

 

[Denae]

Vanessa Williams' Star Bright has been my favorite for several years.

 

[KarenDee]

I like Mannheim Steamroller too. I have one of their videos of a Christmas story on ice with Dorothy Hamill skating. It's kind of fun!

 

[I'm Wild Cherry]

I've been known to listen to my Transsiberian Orchestra in August! I only have the one from 4 or so years ago. I'm not sure how the new CD's compare. Does anyone know?

 

[SaraClarisse]

I always bring out my Excelsis: A Dark Noel and Excelsis: A Winter's Song compilations from Projekt Records when it's time to wrap gifts or make that long drive home. Various darkwave/goth bands perform favorite winter holiday music...often melancholic and moody, but pretty and inspiring at the same time. To folks like me, anyway.

Sometimes I'll also pop in general medieval and Renaissance collections. These make me feel more festive than the typical Christmas tune compilations that I hear too much in the stores or in advertising.

 

[bobsgirl]

This year I am happier to welcome the arrival of the holiday season than usual and I've been celebrating by playing many of my favorite holiday CDs since Thanksgiving. Usually I like to buy one or two new holiday albums each year but haven't shopped for one yet this year. This morning I got the idea that it would be fun to share our favorites and give each other some ideas for expanding our collections.

I'll start by listing a few of mine, in order of preference:

The Messiah (mine features Joan Sutherland)
A Charlie Brown Christmas, Vince Guaraldi
Mannheim Steamroller (almost all of their holiday albums)
A Christmas Album, Amy Grant

So....what are your favorite holiday albums?

Sorry Yank, most Christmas music drives me up a wall. All except the most traditional of Christmas carols done very traditionally. I am a bit of a curmudgeon when it comes to Christmas music.

However, I do agree wholeheartedly on The Messiah. But that is music that should be listened to at all times of the year. Some of the happiest memories I have are of singing the chorales. Thanks for the reminder!

 

[eudaemonia]

My faves:

A Christmas Gift For You from Phil Spector - arguably one of the greatest rock 'n roll Christmas records of all time.

Singles
Step Into Christmas, Elton John
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), U2
Please Come Home For Christmas, The Eagles
All I Want For Chritmas Is You, Mariah Carey
Jingle Bell Rock, Hall & Oates
Wonderful Christmas, Paul McCartney

Which reminds me, I need to hit the iTunes stores soon ...

 

[midwestyankee]

Sorry Yank, most Christmas music drives me up a wall. All except the most traditional of Christmas carols done very traditionally. I am a bit of a curmudgeon when it comes to Christmas music.

However, I do agree wholeheartedly on The Messiah. But that is music that should be listened to at all times of the year. Some of the happiest memories I have are of singing the chorales. Thanks for the reminder!

There's nothing wrong with being a traditionalist - you're hardly a curmudgeon in my book, BG.

I too have good memories of singing The Messiah - twice in one day in college, in fact. My voice can no longer handle the tenor part but I do enjoy croaking away at the various pieces that I remember.

 

[midwestyankee]

My faves:

A Christmas Gift For You from Phil Spector - arguably one of the greatest rock 'n roll Christmas records of all time.

Singles
Step Into Christmas, Elton John
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), U2
Please Come Home For Christmas, The Eagles
All I Want For Chritmas Is You[/b], Mariah Carey
Jingle Bell Rock[/b], Hall & Oates
Wonderful Christmas, Paul McCartney

Which reminds me, I need to hit the iTunes stores soon ...

Don't let the crowds bother you.

 

[silverwhisper]

i detest both mannheim steamroller & transsiberian orchestra. everything else (that isn't country) is good stuff, IMV.

:>

ed

 

[eudaemonia]

I'm not a fan of the new age-y stuff either, but I know a lot of people enjoy.

What I'd like to find is a really good version of Ave Maria, one I can try before I buy. I want one that's a true adagio. Suggestions most welcome.

 

[midwestyankee]

I'm not a fan of the new age-y stuff either, but I know a lot of people enjoy.

What I'd like to find is a really good version of Ave Maria, one I can try before I buy. I want one that's a true adagio. Suggestions most welcome.

I just found 2 or 3 versions that sounded like a true adagio to me (though my ear could be off) but since I accessed them through the Sony music application SonicStage, I don't have a url to pass along. Apple's itunes had a couple versions as well, but the one with Placido Domingo seemed to be the best and it was a little quicker in tempo than might interest you.

Perhaps a search on both the title and an artist whom you think might have recorded a traditional version would be the way to go.

Good luck.

 

[M's girl]

"When my heart finds Christmas" by Harry Connick Jr. and "Christmas Portrait" by The Carpenters are my favorite albums.

All time favorite songs is still "It's the most wonderful time of the year" by Andy Williams.

 

[Guest]

 

[KarenDee]

I'm going to think a little about this before I post my likes, but I will say that I detest anything by the Chipmunks, fucking barking dogs and most parodies of the 12 days of Christmas.

ALVIN!!!!!

 

[Guest]

 

[covariant]

The Messiah (mine features Joan Sutherland)

Yes, wonderful stuff. My favourite is John Eliot Gardiner's recording on Philips. I especially like the soprano solo "I know that my Redeemer liveth". Great choice!

 

[bobsgirl]

I'm going to think a little about this before I post my likes, but I will say that I detest anything by the Chipmunks, fucking barking dogs and most parodies of the 12 days of Christmas.

Oops, well, I'm glad I didn't mention that "Please, Christmas Don't Be Late" always makes me smile.

What about "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer"?

 

[Ravin the Poet]

Jingle Cats!!!

 

[Guest]

 

[Guest]

 

[KarenDee]

Canadian singer Bruce Cockburn (yes I know, go ahead and snicker...but it's pronounced "Coe-Burn") put out a nice Christmas album with several good songs on it. Not traditional in any sense, but worth a listen anyway.

At least it beats Alvin, Simon, and Theodore!

 

[bobsgirl]

...My favorite: Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. I could listen to it anytime of year, but do mostly at Christmas....

Agreed. Ever seen the ballet performed? I love to go to the ballet.

 

[Guest]